*17*

Waking up next to a nude Joe is the best.

Just saying.

After I slid out of bed and found an unopened toothbrush to brush my teeth, I returned to bed. I pushed his hair out of his face and kissed his cheek, slowly making him wake up.

"Morning Joe," I whispered giving him a small kiss.

"Mm, Minxie," Joe stretched as he woke up properly, before giving me a kiss.

Joe pulled me close to him and rested his head on my shoulder, gently pecking my neck.

"I'm going to take a shower," Joe huffed as he got out of bed, "Want to join?"

"Maybe I'll take one after you," I shrugged.

"Okay," Joe smiled as he walked to the bathroom.

I couldn't help but glance at his bare bum as he walked into the bathroom. I heard him start the shower.

Cuddling myself back under the covers, I went on my phone while Joe took a shower. I heard the door open and Caspar peeked his head in.

"Hi," I smiled.

"Oh, hi, sorry," Caspar laughed quietly, "I heard the shower."

"Haha, and you thought we were in the shower together?" I laughed.

"Yeah," Caspar laughed.

Caspar smiled and left the room, closing the door on the way out.

A few minutes later, Joe came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"You can go shower," Joe said.

I nodded and got up and started the shower.

°

"Minx, honey, someone is downstairs to see you," My mum woke me up, trying to hide a smile.

It's been a few days since Joe and I officially got together.

"Who is it?" I yawned getting out of bed and letting my hair down.

I slept in a tank top and sweats last night, so whoever it was, I hope they don't mind me looking messy.

I followed my mum downstairs and saw Rory sitting on the sofa in the livingroom.

"Oh, hi," I smiled, suddenly feeling conscience of myself.

"Hi Minx. Sorry if I woke you. I have a busy day today, but I wanted to see you first," Rory smiled.

"How sweet," My mum smiled as she walked out into the kitchen with James.

"What do you want?" I whispered to Rory.

"Minx, calm down, I came to talk to you. To apologize for what I proposed the other day. But, business aside, I would really like to get to know you more," Rory said kindly.

"Rory, you should know-"

"I really like you Minx. I know we barely know each other, but..." Rory trailed off as he leaned in to kiss me.

"I can't," I shook my head, leaning back.

"Minx, I just poured out my feelings to you."

"I know. And I'm sorry. But I can't. I'm with someone now..." I breathed.

"You got together with someone when you knew how much I liked you? What the h.ell?"

"Rory, just because you said you liked me doesn't automatically mean I like you back! I don't have to put my life on hold for someone I recently met. I like you, you're a good guy, but I can't see us in a relationship... Ever."

"Minx," Rory shook his head.

This was all too familiar.

"Minx," Rory said, sounding a bit angry.

"Rory, I can't, it's not right," I huffed.

I got up and lead Rory out, although I knew he already knew where the door was, I decided to be polite. As I opened the door for Rory to leave, Joe was walking up the porch to the door. His face sunk as he saw Rory leaving the house, me in my pajamas, and it being so early in the morning. It makes it look like he stayed the night.

"Joe," I smiled slightly.

"This is your boyfriend?" Rory scoffed.

"Please leave, Rory," I said in annoyance.

I greeted Joe with a hug and lead him inside, leaving Rory outside.

"Oh, hello Joe. What happened to Rory?" My mum said as she came to the door.

"Rory had to leave. But Joe came over for a bit," I smiled.

"Oh, okay. Welcome, make yourself comfortable as always," My mum smiled to Joe.

"Thank you," Joe smiled.

I lead Joe up to my room.

"Why was he here?" Joe asked, once again looking a bit distressed.

"He stopped by, like 10 minhtes ago, begging for me to be with him again," I explained.

"Oh, I got worried thinking he slept over for a minute," Joe laughed.

"Ew," I laughed along, "H.ell no!"

Joe gave me a small kiss.

"Anyway! Why are you here?" I laughed.

"I wanted to say hi, and just get to see you," Joe smiled.

"Aw," I giggled giving him another kiss. "How's your dad doing?" Joe asked.

"I don't know. Still not good, of course. But I was going to go see him again today, you can come if you want," I slightly smiled.

"Yeah," Joe nodded, kissing my nose.

"Well, I just have to get dressed. I showered last night," I said.

I went to my dresser and clothes rack on the side of my still-bare room and picked out some clothes.

"I like how the only thing on your wall is the polaroid of us," Joe laughed as I started to change.

"I just haven't gotten around to decorating, and I still have clothes and stuff at my dad's house that I need to move over," I said.

I finished changing and put on a bit of mascara and earrings before getting my bag.

"Ready?" Joe asked.

I nodded and gave him a chirpy kiss on the cheek.

"Mum, Joe and I are going to see Dad," I said into the kitchen as we were leaving.

I didn't hear a response so we just left.

"Do you want to take my car?" I offered, "Just filled up on petrol."

"If you don't mind. I'm running low," Joe smiled.

We got in my car and drove down to the hospital. Taking the now-usual hallway towards my Dad's room, Dr. Valerie walked out of his room, talking to a nurse.

"Hello," I smiled, getting her attention.

"Oh, hello Minx, and Joe," Dr. Valerie smiled.

I was surprised she remembered Joe's name.

"How's he doing?" I asked.

"Well, his health is still deteriorating, but at a slower pace now, which is both a good and bad sign. Good in that his health is easing up on the pain a bit, but bad because this can lead to signs of the body giving up fighting."

"Oh," I managed to say.

"Please, go ahead and see him. Gordon is awake right now," Dr. Valerie smiled.

"Thank you," I nodded.

Joe held my hand as we walked to my dad's room, a little further down the corridor.

"Do you want me to stay outside?" Joe offered.

"No, please come," I smiled weakly, squeezing his hand in mine.

We walked into my dad's room and he was laying in bed.

"Minx. Joe. How are you both?"

"Good," I smiled, "Worried about you."

"I'm alright honey, don't waste worry on me."

We all sat down and talked for awhile. My dad has seemed to take a liking with Joe and they get along really well.

"You should get going," My dad said, squeezing my hand, "I'm really quite tired."

"Okay, love you Daddy," I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek and a hug.

"Love you too pumpkin."

"Bye Gordon, take care," Joe nodded.

"You too Joe. And take good care of Minx, yeah?"

"Always," Joe nodded, shaking my dad's weak hand.

°